Potato-digger.



No. 65l,203. Patented June 5', I900. E. PORTER.

POTATO BIGGER.

(Application flld Jan. 4, 1900.)

3 $heets Sheet I.

(No Model.)

WITNESSES m: NORRIS VLHZRS no PHOTG-LlTHO-WASHINGTON, n. c.

N0. 65|,203. Patented June 5, I900. E. PORTER.

POTATO BIGGER.

(Application filed Jan. 4, 1900.)

3 Sheets-Sheet 2 (No Model.)

/NVEN 0/? @mvs WITNESSES m E N w n A THE Norms arms co, vwovoumou W-\'-HNOTDN.

No. 651,203. Patented lune 5, I900. E. PORTER.

POTATO BIGGER.

(Application fll'ed Jan. 4, 1900.)

3 Sheets$haat 3.

(No Model.)

W mEVH WITNESSES 0 T NMW V N. l

ATT NEYS YHE NORRIS PETERS c0. Pnurounm. whsnmr-rom o. c

Nrrnn STATES P TENT FFICE.

POTATO- DIGGER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters lE'ate-nt No. 651,203, dated June 5, 1900.

Application filed January 4, 1900. Serial No. 361. (No model.)

T at whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ELLswoR H PORTER, a citizen of the United States, residing at Clifton Springs, in the county of Ontario and State of New. York, have invented a new and Improved Potato-Digger, of which the following is a full, clear, andexact description.

arranged at an angle to the axis of the re-' ceiver, so that as the receiver is revolved the earth will be freed from the potatoes and discharged from the receiver and the potatoes will be carried partially up the sides of the receiver and then dropped downward in a central direction, finding their escape at the rear end of the receiver.

Another object of the invention is to pro vide means for adjusting the cleaning-receiver for the potatoes and to construct a machine of the character above set forth in an exceedingly simple and durable manner.

Another object of the invention is to so construct the machine that it may be made to travel along each row and so that it will not waste any potatoes or cover them up or bruise or damage them in the least, the potatoes being discharged from the machine in narrow rows.

The invention consists in the novel construction and combination of the several parts, as will be hereinafter fully set forth, and pointed out in the claims.

Reference is to be had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, in which similar characters of reference indicate corresponding parts in all the figures.

Figure 1 is a side elevation of the improved machine. Fig. 2 is a plan view thereof, parts being in section. Fig. 8 is a vertical section taken-practically on the line 3 3 of Fig. 1. Fig. 4 is a transverse section through the cleaning-receiver for the potatoes, the section being taken substantially on the line 4 4 of Fig. 1. Fig. 5 is a rear view of the receiver adapted to clean and discharge the po tatoes, and Fig. 6 is a transverse section through the upper portion of the elevator.

The frame of the machine consists of two upper parallel side bars 10, preferably of angle-iron, which are usually inclined slightly downwardly and forwardly, the said side bars being connected at their forward ends by an arch 11, having spindles 12, on which the front supporting-wheels 13 of the machine are mounted, and the thills 14 are attached in any approved manner to the side portions of the said arch. In the further construction of the frame two downwardly-extending angle-v bars are projected from the rear ends of the side bars 10, and horizontal bars 15 are made to extend from the rear portions of the angle side bars 10, as shown in Figs. 1 and 3, the horizontal bars 15 being also preferably angular in cross-section. In order to strengthen the frame, side braces 16 are employed, extending from the vertical members 10 to the side members 10, and brace-plates 16 are also located where the side and the vertical members of the frame connect, as shown in Fig. 1.

The seat 17 is secured to a platform 18, extending from one side bar 10 of the frame to the other, and preferably a rack 19 is attached to the forward central portion of the platform 18, and alever 20 is pivoted on the said rack.

An elevator A is used in connection with the frame of the machine, being held in a downwardly and forwardly inclined position. The frame of the elevator consists of side bars 21, preferablyof angle-iron, and brackets 22, secured to the said side bars, which brackets are also attached to and support side bars 23, extending the full length of the elevatorand beyond the conveyor of the elevator, which will be hereinafter described. A digger-1 blade or shovel 24 is secured to the lower for: ward portion of the elevator-frame, the said blade or shovel projecting beyond the said frame, and the said shovel is usually brought to a point at the central portion of its cutting edge, as shown in Fig. 2. The forward or lower end of the elevator-frame may be raised and lowered,so that the shovel 24: may be made to enter the ground to a greater or a less depth, through the medium of uprights 25, attached to the side portions of the elevatorframe and passed loosely through guides 26, secured to the side bars 10 of the main frame of the machine. These uprights are connected by a bail 27, and the bail 27 is connected with the lever 20, above mentioned, by means of a chain 28 or its equivalent. Thus it will be observed that by manipulating the lever the shovel may be raised and lowered and likewise that portion of the elevator-franfe to which the shovel is attached. The upper portion of the elevator-frame is braced and ma terially strengthened by applying thereto a cross-bar 29, as shown in Fig. 6. The angled side bars 21 are shown of less length than the side members or plates 23; but the rear end of each angle side bar 21 is attached to an arm 30, and these arms extend downwardly and rearwardly, each forming an angular portion of the sleeve 31, as is shown in both Figs. 2 and 6. These sleeves are mounted loosely in boxes 32, and, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the boxes are mounted to slide upon thelower portions of the angle members 10 of the main frame, the boxes being provided with bolts or pins 33, which extend outwardly through slots 3t, made in the rear of the said vertical members 10, as shown in Fig.

A shaft is journaled in the sleeves 31, as shown in Fig. 6, and within the sides of the frame of the elevator two large sprocketwheels are secured to the shaft 35, and chain belts 36 are passed over these wheels 35 and over smaller sprocket-Wheels 37, located on a shaft 37, journaled in suitable bearings near the lower end of the elevatorframe, as shown in Fig. 1. The chain belts 36 constitute portions of the conveyer for the elevator-frame, and the construction of the conveyer is completed by securing boards or bars 38 transversely to the said chain belts, usually quite close together, and locating transverse partitions 39 on the outer faces of sundry of the said bars or boards, as shown in Fig. 1, the partitions serving to carry up the potatoes and earth that may cling thereto to the cleaner and distributer, to be hereinafter described.

Runners 40 are located at the bottom portion of the elevator near the blade or shovel 24, and slats 41 or their equivalents are carried from runner to runner, so as to prevent the earth from being brought in direct engagement with the lower foot portion of the conveyer. Hangers 42 are journaled upon thesleeves 31 near their outer ends, as shown in Fig. 2, and each of said hangers is provided with a rearwardly-extending tubular section 43 at right angles to the main section or body of the hanger, and each hanger 42 is also provided with a forwardly-extending arm 4i, the arms being inclined upward, as illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2. A shaft4l-5 is journaled in the tubular sections of the hangers 12,.and the rear supporting-wheels 4C6 are loosely mounted on the ends of the shaft.

Each tubular section 43 of each hanger 42 is provided at its outer end with a clutch or ratchet face engaged by spring-controlled pawls 48, located in suitable boxes formed in the hubs of the rear wheels. This connection is made in order that when the machine turns a corner or is turned around one wheel will advance, while the other wheel will remain practically stationary or will move slightly backward, serving as a pivot.

When the shovel end of the elevator is raised or lowered, it is desirable to change the inclination of the body of the elevator, and this is accomplished byattaching links 49 or their equivalents to the forwardly-extending arms 4% of the hangers 42, which links are attached to said arms by means of pins 50, as shown in Fig. 3, and the links are likewise attached to pins 51, formed npon-crank-arms 52, carried by a shaft 53, whiclrshaft is journaled at the main portion of the frame and usually passes through a rack 54, the shaft being provided with a lever 55, whereby it may be turned, and this lever carries a thu mblatch arranged for engagement with the rack 54.

The drivingshaft 5350f the conveyer is provided at one end with a bevel-gear 57 and with a pinion 58, which forms a portion of the bevel-gear or is attached thereto, as shown in Fig. 6. The bevel gear 57 is adapted to communicate motion to the receiver or recep tacle B for the potatoes in a manner which will be hereinafter described, and the shaft 35 receives motion from the shaft by plac ing a large gear 59 on one end of the shaft 455, which meshes with the pinion 58 on thedriving-shaft of the conveyer.

The receiver B for the potatoes is located at the rear of the machine and is capable of being given any inclination. This receiver consists of a tubular head 60, having an outwardly-extending annular flange 61 at its upper end, and at the lower edge of the said head (30 an exterior gear 62 is secured or formed. A ring 63 is located a desired distance below the head 60, and rods 64- are attached to the head and are passed throughapcrtures in the ring 63. The rods are not carried straight through the head of the ring, but spirally or diagonally, as is shown in Figs.

1 and 2.

The receiver B is supported by a frame 0. This frame preferably consists of two side bars 65, having angle-sectionsGG at their upper ends, which angle-sections are pivoted upon the sleeves 31, journaling the drivingshaft of the conveyer, as shown best in Fig. 2. These arms 65 are attached to a ring 67, located at the exterior of the head 60, between its flange 61 and the gear 62, and the side bars 65 of the frame are also attached at their lower ends to a second ring 68, which is located over and is concentric withthe lower ring 03 of the receiver. The side bars are attached to the two outer rings 67 and 08 by means of bolts 66 or their equivalents, and

the head-ring 67 is likewise secured to the side arms by braces 65". The head-ring 67 is provided with a series of laterally-arranged friction-wheels 69, adapted to engage with the flange 61 of the head of the receiver, and also with a series of vertically-arranged f riction-wheels 70, adapted to engage with the outer surface of the head, and the outer or frame ring 68 is provided with a series of frietion-rollers 71, which are adapted to travel upon the outer surface of the structural ring (33 of the receiver. Thus it will be observed that roller-bearings are provided for the receiver B. The receiver is raised and lowered by attaching a bail 7 2 to the lower guide-ring (38 and attaching a chain 73 to the said bail, which chain is carried upward over a roller 74, located in the extension 15 of the frame,

and the upper end of the chain is attached to a lever '75, fulcrumed upon the said extension and having a thumb-latch arranged for engagement with a suitable rack 76.

A box 77 is located at the inner end portion of one of the side bars 65 of the supporting frame for the receiver, and another box 78 is located upon the head-ring 67 of the said supporting-frame, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2. A shaft 79 is mounted to turn in these two boxes, and the shaft is provided at one of its ends with a bevel-gear 80, which meshes with the bevel-gear 57 on the driving-shaft for the conveyer, and a plain gear 81 is secured to the other end of the shaft, arranged to mesh with the gear 62, located on the head of the receiver B. Under this arrangement as the machine advances the receiver B is constantly revolved.

The potatoes as they are dug are taken up on the conveyer and are deposited in the receiver B. As the said receiver revolves the potatoes will be carried up the sides of the receiver, owing to the arrangement of the bars 64, until their tendency is to move downward, whereupon they will fall toward the center and lower end of the receiver and by so doing will slide lengthwise upon the rods 64, which will sift the earth from the potatoes, and the potatoes, practically clean and without bruises, will be dropped out at the lower end of the receiver, forming a narrow row on the ground, from whence they may be readily removed.

Having thus described my invention, I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent- 1. In apotato-digger, the combination with a frame, of an elevator having its rear end hinged in the frame, means for raising and lowering the front end of the elevator, pivoted hangers carried by the frame, supportingwheels having their axle mounted in the hangers, and means for swinging the hangers on their pivots, substantially as described.

2. In a potato-digger, the combination with a frame, of an elevator having at its rear end bearings mounted in adjustable boxes carried by the f rame,han gers pivotally mounted on said bearings, supporting-wheels having their axle mounted in the hangers, and means for swinging the hangers, substantially as described.

3. In a potato-digger, the combination with a frame, of an elevator-frame having sleeves at its rear end, said sleeves being mounted in boxes carried by the frame, a shaft mounted in the sleeves and carrying sprocketwheels, a shaft at the front end of the elevator-frame and carrying sprocket-wheels, an endless elevator-belt passing around said sprocket-wheels, hangers loosely mounted on the sleeves, supporting-wheels having their axle mounted in the hangers, and means for operating the hangers, substantially as described.

4. In a potato-digger, the combination with a frame, of an elevator-frame having sleeves at its rear end, boxes adj usta'bly secured to the frame and in which the said sleeves are mounted, a shaft mounted in thesleevesand carrying sprocket-wheels, a shaft at the front end of the elevator frame and carrying sprocketwvheels, an endless elevator-belt passing around said sprocket-wheels, hangers loosely mounted on the sleeves, supporting-wheels having their axle mounted in the hangers, means for swinging the hangers on the sleeves, and means for raising and lowering the front end of the elevator-frame, substantially as described.

5. In a potato'digger the combination with a frame, an elevator having its rear end hinged to the frame, pivoted hangers carried by the frame, supporting-wheels having their axle mounted in the hangers, and means for swinging the hangers on their pivots, of bars having their lower ends pivoted to the front of the elevator and their upper ends working in guides carried by the frame, a bail secured to said bars, an operating-lever carried by the frame, and a flexible connection between the lever and bail, substantially as described.

6. In a potato-digger the combination with a frame, of hangers pivoted to the frame and each having a rearwardly extending tubular section provided with a clutch or ratchet face, a shaft mounted in the said sections, wheels mounted on the shaft, and spring-pawls mounted in the hubs and engaging the clutch or ratchet faces of the said sections, substantially as described.

7. In a potato-digger, the combination with a wheel-supported frame, and an elevator carried thereby, of a pivoted and adjustable frame, comprising side bars and rings, one of which is provided with two sets of frictionwheels arranged at right angles to each other, a cylindrical receiver mounted in the frame and having a flanged end with which flange one set of the friction-wheels of the said ring engages, the other set of friction-wheels engaging the head of the receiver, and means for revolving said receiver, substantially as described.

8. In a potato-digger, the combination with a wheel-supported frame, and an elevator carried thereby, of a pivoted and adjustable frame, comprising side bars and rings between the side bars, the head-ring being provided with two sets of friction-wheels arranged at right angles to each other, and the other ring with a single set of friction-wheels, a cy1indrical receiver mounted in the frame and having'a flanged front end and an exterior gear, between which flange and gear the head-ring is arranged, a shaft driven from the axle of the drive-Wheel and provided with a gear meshing with the gear of the receiver, substantially as described.

9. In a potato-digger, the combination with a wheel-supported frame, an elevator-frame having sleeves at its ends said sleeves being mounted in boxes carried by the frame, an elevator-belt carried by the said frame, a shaft mounted in the sleeves and provided with two gear-wheels at one end, and means for operating the shaft from the axle of the supporting-wheels, of a rearwardly-exi'ending frame mounted on the sleeves of the elevator'frame, means for adjustably supporting the rear end of the frame, a cylindrical receiver mounted to revolve in the frame and porting-wheels, means for raising and loWering the front end of the elevator-frame, a eylindrical receiver pivotally and rotatably mounted at the rear of the frame, and gearin g between the elevator-belt-operating mechanism and the receiver, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

ELLSVOR'III FORTE R.

\Vitnesses:

SIDNEY J. LIsK, Dams SULLIVAN, Sr. 

